Karachi, August 27, 2015 (PPI-OT):The Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has directed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Provincial Relief Department, and Sindh Zakat Council to undertake their combined efforts, utilize all resources available to them and ensure continuation of 2nd phase of relief and rehabilitation services to remaining 58000 flood affectees who either are accommodated in Relief camps or residing on bunds.

He said that after fully utilization of budgetary allocation of Rs 500 million, he had granted outside budget allocation of Rs 284 million for PDMA and provided 1st installment of Rs 142 million earlier and assured that the remaining allocation of Rs 142 million will be released shortly only to provide timely relief to the poor people affected by flood.

This he directed while presiding over meeting to review over the relief and rehabilitation activities for flood affected people being carried out by Sindh Govt specially at reiverine distt of the province held at CM House Karachi today.

Addressing the meeting the Chief Minister Sindh directed the PDMA to strengthen equip and ensure capacity building of its subordinate office District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and extend its scope by including Chairman District Zakat and Dist Zakat officer (DZO) as member of its Distt Board in each district and Chairman Sindh Zakat Council and Provincial Secretary Zakat as the members of DDMA and Chairman Sindh Zakat Council and Provincial Secretary Zakat as the members of provincial Zakat Board so that the rescue and relief activities at grass root level could be ensured.

He assured that provincial Govt will extend its full support in this move. Director General PDMA Syed Salman Shah while briefing the meeting informed that during the recent rains and flood, population around 9, 75,470 had been evacuated from the Katcha Areas and dangerous houses, He said that out of this approximately more than 2, 64000 people were accommodated in relief camps or on bunds.

He said that in addition to distribution of 75,000 Dry Ration Bags , 63,830 tents, 50 boats, 73 dewatering pumping machines, 9380 solar led, 7500 jerry can, 25,200 family water filters, 3000 chatal, 135 water tanks and 114500 Mosquito nets were utilized, distributed for the relief to flood affected people. He said that at present the ration is being provided to more than 58,000 affectees under the directives of CM Sindh issued during last meeting and added that it is to be continued.

He said that these affectees including, 20,000 at Thatta, 11,000 Sujawal and 17000 Jamshoro are being provided relief and even he had placed the procurement order for 130,000 ration bags today to continue the supply of ration to these affectees till situation become normal he concluded.

The Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah while expressing his satisfaction over the rescue and relief activities and performance of PDMA directed its DG to ensure the inventory of procured relief related items and maintain the record of the items either used or distributed among the flood affectee.

He also directed not only the boats d-watering machines tents be kept in safe custody but also be made functional to meet any eventuality during the odd hours. He asked him to be in contact with Deputy Commissioners especially of the reverien distt.

The Chief Minister while discussing on the proposal for getting low cost dismentalable and portable Houses and creation of combined calamity fund by PDMA, Relief Dept: and Zakat Council, asked the MD PDMA and Secretary Zakat to work out these proposals and bring their recommendation in next meeting.

However the Chief Minister further said that Water Level in the river and flooding areas was receding fastly, leaving the fertile land of Kacha area as fully charged with water, as such people of the Katcha area are in hurry to go back and cultivate. He directed the officers also to help these people in their resettlement work. He said that PPP believes to serve the people and we will not left the people alone in their difficulties.